A simplified table for staging embryos of the pipid frog Pipa arrabali.

Pipa is a Neotropical genus of frogs that dwell in freshwater environments. It includes four species that lack free-swimming larvae (P. aspera, P.

Postcranial osteogenesis of the helmeted water toad Calyptocephalella gayi (Neobatrachia: Calyptocephalellidae) with comments on the osteology of australobatrachians.

Calyptocephalella gayi is one of over 6,000 neobatrachians arranged into two main groups, Hyloides and Ranoides. Phylogenetically, C. gayi is placed in Australobatrachia, a Gondwanan clade that is either the most basal clade of Hyloides or the sister group of Hyloidea, depending on the cladistic hypothesis; as such, this species is a key taxon in the study of the early evolution of Neobatrachia.

Skeletal morphogenesis of the vertebral column of the miniature hylid frog Acris crepitans, with comments on anomalies.

Although the vertebral columns of anurans have received much study in the last 150 years, few detailed descriptions exist of the skeletal morphogenesis of this anatomical unit. Herein, the ontogeny of the vertebral skeleton of the hylid frog Acris crepitans is described based on cleared and double-stained specimens, radiographs, and 3D reconstructions generated from synchrotron microCT scans. The adult axial formula is 1-7-1-1, and the vertebral centra are epichordal and procoelous.

Skeletal morphology and development of the olfactory region of Spea (Anura: Scaphiopodidae).

The nasal capsules of anurans are formed by an intricate set of sac-like cavities that house the olfactory organ and constitute the beginning of the respiratory system. In tadpoles, nasal capsules do not have a respiratory function, but each is composed of a single soft tissue cavity lined with olfactory epithelium. Our study has revealed that in Spea the nasal cartilages and septomaxillae are de novo adult structures that form dorsal to the larval skeleton of the ethmoid region.

An anatomical ontology for amphibians.

Herein, we describe our ongoing efforts to develop a robust ontology for amphibian anatomy that accommodates the diversity of anatomical structures present in the group. We discuss the design and implementation of the project, current resolutions to issues we have encountered, and future enhancements to the ontology. We also comment on future efforts to integrate other data sets via this amphibian anatomical ontology.